Uganda Launches Third Justice Needs Survey to Enhance Access to Legal Services

Uganda is celebrating a significant milestone in its quest for equitable access to justice with the launch of the third Justice Needs and Satisfaction (JNS) survey.

Conducted by the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) in collaboration with key stakeholders from the  Judiciary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Governance and Security Secretariat, formerly known as JLOS, the survey reflects Uganda’s commitment to developing effective responses to address the daily legal challenges faced by its citizens.

Presented at the launch event in Kampala, the findings reveal that an astounding 95% of Ugandan men and women encountered at least one legal problem in the past year. While many found satisfactory resolutions to their issues, 45% did not, underscoring the need for service delivery models.

Lilian Keene Mugerwa, a Justice Transformation Expert with HiiL in Uganda, emphasizes, “The close collaboration among key stakeholders has enhanced the understanding of the crucial role of data in shaping policies that promote people-centered justice. This survey lays the foundation for evidence-based decision-making to address the diverse legal needs of Ugandans.”

Representing Chief Justice Owiny Dollo, Flavian Zeija, the Principal Judge, states that the report, the third of its kind in Uganda, underscores the nation’s pioneering role in data collection. It also aims to serve as a catalyst for change, as Lilian Keene explains.

Comments are closed.